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But love?

No, Elise never saw that co, had never dared to even think about it From the day she was chosen as a foster child, all she concerned herself ays to prove her worth to her foster faenuinely want her

She had dared to hope for friendship with Gerhart, and eventually with Steffen once she started to ith him more as she took over the Treasury Department, but romance was never a deep desire of Elise’s She wanted to be happy, yes, so she would be careful in selecting her ht anyone--Mertein included--would love her with passion

"You didn’t know," Brida said

Elise shook her head

Brida scratched the back of her neck and sighed "You understand that he--they, really, I suppose--is devoted to you? Ignoring Prince Rune’s and Prince Falk’s feelings doesn’t o away Nor is it fair to the princes to reject theestured at Brida What was she to do?

Brida snorted "As if I would know," she said, picking up her sword again She glanced at the swan and returned her attention to Elise "But why not give them a chance? Let them both court you"

Elise stared at Brida ide eyes and clutched the shirt to her chest regardless of the burning nettles

"It’s not like they’re going to eat you," Brida said

Elise nodded vigorously

"You have got some disastrous notions of love, Princess," Brida said before slashing the air with her sword

Elise shrugged and sloent back to knitting

"One thing is for sure: you underestirunted

Elise looked up at her with disbelieving eyes

"I’ this just because I ad her eyes "I mean it Prince Rune is your most obvious supporter, but Prince Falk…He has your back"

Elise tilted her head

"Well, who do you think is sitting with you right now?" Brida asked, pointing to Elise’s swan companion with her sword

Elise looked at the swan, and the swan looked back at Elise